Finno-Ugric youth leader beaten in Russia’s Mari Republic

Government denies political motive for attack

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Vasili Petrov, the leader of the Youth Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples (MAFUN), was beaten on Saturday night in his home village in the Russian Mari Republic.
      According to the website of the Information Center of the Finno-Ugric Peoples, Petrov was attacked from behind and struck by a heavy object. He suffered a fractured arm and a fractured jaw, and also sustained a head injury.
     
According to a press release by the government of the Mari Republic, there is no reason to suspect that there were any political motives behind the assault.
      In the government version, Petrov was intoxicated at the time of the incident, and was attacked by boys in the village who were also drunk.
      Vladimir Kozlov, head of Russia’s ethnic Mari movement, confirmed on Monday that the attack had taken place, but denied that Petrov had been intoxicated.
      Beatings of opposition supporters and critical journalists have become commonplace under President Leonid Markelov.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Russia denies allegations of oppression of Finno-Ugric Mari people (30.5.2005)
  European Parliament raps Russia for treatment of Mari people (13.5.2005)
  European Parliament appeals on behalf of indigenous Mari people in Russia (11.3.2005)
  Election result brings wave of political reprisals against indigenous intelligentsia of Mari Republic (8.3.2005)
  Mari people complain of continued persecution by Russian officials (1.3.2005)
  Mari Republic President irate at HS articles; threatens legal action (31.1.2002)
  Finno-Ugric Mari people of Central Russia complain of ethnic persecution (27.12.2001)

Links:
  Information Center of the Finno-Ugric Peoples web site

Helsingin Sanomat